"Idol" finale slumps, but Phillips tops iTunes
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The "American Idol" finale audience slumped to a record low, but the show's newly crowned champion Phillip Phillips hit No.1 on iTunes on Thursday with his first single "Home." The 11-year-old Fox singing contest, once a TV industry juggernaut whose finale attracted more than 30 million viewers in 2006 and 2007, was watched by just 21.5 million viewers on Wednesday night, according to ratings data. Viewers in the 18-49 age group most-coveted by advertisers dropped by about 32 percent compared to last year's "Idol," although the program was still the top show on U.S. ...

Elton John cancels Vegas dates due to infection
 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Elton John was treated in hospital in Los Angeles for a serious respiratory infection that forced him to cancel performances this weekend of his "The Million Dollar Piano" show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In a statement posted on his website on Thursday, the British entertainer, whose hits include "Rocket Man," "Your Song" and "Bennie and The Jets," apologized for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon. The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday. ...

Singer Doc Watson in critical condition, hospital says
 
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Reuters) - Grammy winning folk musician Doc Watson is in critical condition at a North Carolina hospital, a representative for the medical facility said on Thursday. The 89-year-old Watson is a singer of bluegrass, country, blues and gospel who is famous for his flatpicking style on the guitar and his interpretations of folk songs from bygone eras. Watson, a native of North Carolina, is in critical condition at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, said Karen Richardson, a spokeswoman for the hospital. ...

Founding member of 3 Doors Down leaves band
 
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Matt Roberts, a founding member of Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down, is leaving the group after nearly two decades due to health issues, the band said on Thursday. "3 Doors Down will always have a special place in my heart and it saddens me to take this time off ... But my health has to be my first priority," Roberts said on the band's official website. Roberts did not elaborate but the website said his problems stemmed from circulation issues exacerbated by the band's performance schedule, playing nearly 300 dates a year. ...

Sade brings it home with concert film and live CD
 
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sade fans have had to learn to be very patient. After a decade-long hiatus, the soulful jazz band led by Nigerian-born British singer Sade Adu, 53, returned to the stage with their "Bring Me Home" tour last year. And for those who couldn't make it to a show, there is now an album and film. This week, Sade released "Bring Me Home - Live 2011," a live CD and concert film directed by frequent collaborator Sophie Muller shot over several stops on the tour. ...

Summer's "I Feel Love", other tunes join U.S. archives
 

(Reuters) - Donna Summer's 1977 hit "I Feel Love" was added to the United States' archives on Wednesday, six days after the disco queen's death, along with Prince's "Purple Rain" album and 23 other recordings deemed cultural or historical treasures. The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in Washington DC also added the album "A Charlie Brown Christmas", the voice of late journalist Edward R. Murrow, and Dolly Parton's 1971 autobiographical song "Coat of Many Colors" to its collection. ...

Adam Lambert boots Underwood from Billboard No. 1
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert pushed his fellow "Idol" alum off the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday to score his first No. 1 album with "Trespassing." Lambert's second studio album sold 77,000 copies in its first week, a significantly lower debut than Underwood's "Blown Away" debut two weeks ago, which sold 267,000 copies to score the top spot on the chart. "Blown Away" fell to No. 3 this week, behind Adele's juggernaut "21," which added a further 63,000 copies to its phenomenal sales record this week. ...

The Flaming Lips take aim at Jay-Z's concert record
 

NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - The Flaming Lips will try to break Jay-Z's world record for most shows in a 24-hour period as part of the Viacom Music Group's third O Music Awards. Jay-Z performed seven shows in different cities, so the Oklahaoma City-based Lips will aim for eight shows on June 27 while traveling on a bus from Memphis to New Orleans. MTV announced the Lips' performances while unveiling the 24 different categories for the 24-hour show, which will be live-streamed across MTV's digital properties and potentially on television. ...

Dylan, Albright to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Musical legend Bob Dylan, novelist Toni Morrison and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright are among 13 people who will be awarded the country's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Barack Obama next week, the White House said. The presentations will be made at the White House on May 29. Also chosen to receive the award were former senator and astronaut John Glenn, retired U.S. ...

Singer Robin Gibb, Bee Gees co-founder, dies at 62
 

LONDON (Reuters) - Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who with brothers Barry and Maurice helped define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats on hits like "Stayin' Alive" and "Jive Talkin'", died on Sunday after a long fight with cancer. He was 62. The singer had colon and liver cancer and, despite brief improvements in his health in recent months, passed away on Sunday evening. Gibb died at the London Clinic surrounded by his second wife Dwina, sons Spencer and Robin-John and daughter Melissa. ...

Adele, LMFAO sweep tribute-filled Billboard awards
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Energetic performances and heart-felt tributes took center stage at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, as Adele, LMFAO, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift came away top awards. British Grammy-winning singer Adele won 12 awards from 18 nominations for her juggernaut album "21," including top artist, top female artist and top album. Her awards were not presented during the live show and the singer was not present. ...

Whitney Houston's last record released for "Sparkle"
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Whitney Houston's last recording - a new duet with "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks - was released on Monday ahead of the singer's upcoming film, "Sparkle." "Celebrate," produced by R. Kelly for "Sparkle" which will hit movie theaters on August 17, was recorded by Houston shortly before her sudden death aged 48 in February. The uptempo track features disco beats and a positive message, as Sparks and Houston sing lyrics such as "I'm going to celebrate, celebrate you." Sparks throws in "We love you Whitney" at the end of the song. ...

Samuel L. Jackson to host BET Awards
 

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Somebody better bring the bleep button into the shop for a tune-up: Samuel L. Jackson is hosting this year's BET Awards. The "Snakes on a Plane" star's hosting gig was revealed Tuesday by the network, along with nominees for this year's event. Past hosts for the ceremony, which was launched in 2001, include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx. Last year's event was hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart. ...

George Clinton, Black Eyed Peas end song lawsuit
 

(Reuters) - The funk pioneer George Clinton has settled a lawsuit in which he accused the pop and hip hop group Black Eyed Peas of using part of one of his songs in remixes of its hit song "Shut Up" without permission. The settlement followed two weeks of mediation, and was revealed in filings this week in Los Angeles federal court. Terms were not disclosed, but the mediator Gail Killefer in a court filing said the settlement "fully" resolved the dispute. ...

Power ballad Sanchez vs. "genius" Phillips on "Idol"
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jessica Sanchez, the teen with the big voice, chose power ballads while Phillip Phillips went with an indie vibe as the two diverse "American Idol" finalists sang on Tuesday for the hearts and votes of America. Sanchez, 16, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of America's most-watched TV show, was deemed ahead after performing songs made famous by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion. But it was acoustic guitar-playing Phillips who brought all three judges to their feet at the end of the performance finale. ...

Adele notches up two Ivor Novello songwriting awards
 

LONDON (Reuters) - British singer Adele won two Ivor Novello awards for songwriting on Thursday, adding to a lengthening list of musical accolades, but she lost out in the best album and song categories. The 24-year-old chart queen picked up two coveted Ivor Novello prizes for the most performed song of 2011 ("Rolling in the Deep") and songwriter of the year. ...

Jack White attempts record for most metaphors
 
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jack White earned his musical stripes with his chart-topping debut solo album "Blunderbuss," and now the singer is attempting to add another accolade to his shelf - a Guinness World Record for most metaphors in a single concert. The eccentric former White Stripes frontman, who also has put "Blunderbuss" forward for the fastest named album in history, did not explain why he is attempting this feat of speech, but his record company is concerned about failure. ...

Renowned baritone Fischer-Dieskau dead at 86
 
BERLIN (Reuters) - German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, whose passionate and sensitive interpretations of German lieder brought the 19th-century song form to life again for new generations, died on Friday, 10 days short of his 87th birthday. Sometimes described as the most recorded singer in history, Fischer-Dieskau died in the town of Berg on Starnberg Lake in Bavaria, the Bavarian State Opera announced on its website. "The death of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a great loss for the entire music world. Through his interpretations of vocals he decisively influenced the art of opera singing. ...

Jessica's got to connect to win, says "Idol" mentor Iovine
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sanchez must reach viewers emotionally in order to win the contest this week, while rival Phillip Phillips has a "crazy charisma" that will serve him well in his career, the show's mentor Jimmy Iovine said on Monday. As "American Idol" approaches its climax on Tuesday, Iovine said he was impressed by both the young singers but gave little away on who he thought would win the 2012 title and a guaranteed recording contract. ...

Disco queen Donna Summer dies at 63
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Disco queen Donna Summer, whose sultry voice and pulsing rhythms on hits like "Last Dance" and "Love to Love You Baby" defined the 1970s disco era, died of cancer on Thursday at age 63. Summer, who won five Grammys and sold more than 130 million records worldwide, died surrounded by her family in Naples, Florida, publicist Brian Edwards said. He declined to specify what type of cancer caused her death. "Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. ...

Britney is back - and so are the brickbats
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears hasn't even taken her seat as the new judge of "The X Factor," but the pop icon is already getting a lesson in the media glare of live, talent show television. Spears had barely wrapped up an appearance in New York confirming she is joining the singing contest before the celebrity knives were out, raising the question of how well the singer, who went through a public meltdown in 2007, can handle all the newfound attention. ...

Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips make "Idol" final
 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - He brought the "American Idol" judges to their feet, but Joshua Ledet couldn't win over fans and was sent home from the top-rated TV talent show on Thursday, leaving Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips to battle for the crown on next week's finale. The elimination of Ledet - through audience voting and not by the judges - sets up a final showdown between Sanchez and Phillips to determine who will be named the next "American Idol," a distinction that has belonged to hitmakers such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, among others. ...

Van Halen postpone more than 30 concert dates
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rock band Van Halen on Thursday postponed more than 30 concert dates of their U.S. summer tour, leading to speculation the "Runnin' with the Devil" group was feuding again. The band's official website, van-halen.com, took down all its dates after June 26, listing only 15 more shows, ending in New Orleans. Closely-watched fan site, Van Halen News Desk, said 31 dates had been postponed, starting on July 7 in Uncasville, Connecticut and ending on September 25 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...

"Godfather of Go-Go"' Chuck Brown dies at 75
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Chuck Brown, known as the "Godfather of Go-Go" for the subgenre of funk music he helped create, died on Wednesday at the Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore after being admitted earlier this month suffering from pneumonia. A spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed the death but could not provide a cause, and Brown's manager, Tom Goldfogle, was not immediately available to comment. Goldfogle told the Washington Post Brown died of complications from sepsis. Brown, a singer/songwriter and guitarist had been a key personality in the Washington, D.C. ...

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb dies aged 62
 
LONDON (Reuters) - Robin Gibb, who with his brothers Barry and Maurice formed the disco-era hit machine the Bee Gees, has died aged 62, his official website said on Sunday. The singer had been battling colon and liver cancer. "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," a statement posted on his official website said. "The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time. ...

Violinist Hahn: Music from a different direction
 
LONDON (Reuters) - Classical music fans know that American violinist Hilary Hahn plays a wicked concerto, knocking out the fiendishly fast final bars of Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto, for example, faster and with more sheer energy than pretty much anyone else alive. "It's a finger twister but it's so fun. ...

Contestants? It's TV talent judges basking in fame, cash
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time was when TV talent shows set out to turn wannabes into stars. These days? Not so much. It's the celebrity judges who are raking in the cash and using TV contests not only as a way to re-launch a fading career, but to further boost a thriving one. For music stars in an era of weak record sales, the trend spells victory for their bank account, but for fans and the music industry always hungering for a new star, it's a loss. And for TV networks, the once cheap-to-produce shows are ever more expensive, yet they don't always pay off in bigger audiences. ...

Busy Jennifer Lopez casts doubt on more "American Idol"
 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez is casting doubt on whether she will return to "American Idol" next year as she juggles motherhood with a comeback in both her pop music and acting careers. Lopez, who has young twins, told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres this week that she wasn't sure about renewing her contract as a judge on the TV singing contest for a third year. And on Wednesday, sources close to the singer told E! News that she was "just too busy" and was planning on calling an end to her time on "American Idol". "Now this is my second year - I don't know if I can go for a third ...

Analysis: Key to Universal-EMI decision: Has music business lost control?
 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the face of it, Universal Music Group's bid to buy a big chunk of EMI stands to make the world's leading music company an even more formidable force, combining Universal's star lineup of Lady Gaga and Rihanna with the British company's deep library of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Katy Perry. Certainly the fierce opposition from rival Warner Music Group, consumer groups and independent music companies makes it seem that way. They have all vowed to fight it tooth and nail, telling U.S. ...

 
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